Metalworking machine



April 16, 1946. c.v c. GRoTNEs METALWORKING MACHINE 2 sheets-sheet 1 original Filed June 5, 1959 w ZJ@ N T. 23 0% E www@ c. c. GRoTNEs METALwoRKING MACHINE April 16, 1946.

Original Filed June 5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i.. :In

' Car/ C Crove ai @im "awp/s l Adescription of the ,for the application Patented Apr. 16, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE METALWORKING MAcHlNE p Carl C. Grotnes, Park Ridge, Ill.

Original application June 5, 277,371. Divided and this 1943, serial No. 489,745

V 4 Claims.

The invention relates to metal Working machines and more particularly to an improved machine for forming the ends of hollow cylindrical bodies or shells to adapt them for use as parts of containers such as pails, drums, barrels, etc.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 277,371, led June 5, 1939, and which has matured into Patent No. 2,352,095, dated June 20, 1944. In the copending application there is disclosed and claimed a composite machine structure embodying a plurality of machine units and Work handling apparatus which cooperate to shape both endsl of hollow cylindrical shells in a single integrated manufacturing operation. The machine constituting the subject matter of the present application may function as a unit of a composite machine structure of the above character or it may be operated as a wholly independent machine.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved metal Working machine utilizing die mechanism of novel and advantageous construction for drawing in the end of a hollow cylindrical t body or shell to form a neck of reducedV diameter and to produce a ange thereon in a single operation. e

Another object is to provide an improved machine for operating on hollow cylindrical shells embodying forming die mechanism operating in a. novel manner to insure perfectroundness of the shell and to electually prevent the formation of wrinkles or other irregularities in a drawing and flanging operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed preferred embodiment illustrated. in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1' is a vertical sectional view of the improved machine.

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary bottom views of the die mechanism, the inst-mentioned figure showing the dies opened and the latter showing the dies closed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing details of the forming dies illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken in stantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

lFor purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown as embodied in a machine for forming one end of a sheet metal shell 23 to adapt it of a bottom closure member forming operation, in this ina plane sub- (not shown). The

stance, `comprises the drawing in of the end of .the shell to form a neck 24 (Fig. 4) of reduced 1939, serial No. application June 5,

expressed in the appended i i framefrom the bed to accommodate shells of dilerent lengths. Tie'rods 35 suitably anchored in the bed extend through the columns 32 and frame 3l to hold the parts in assembled relation, the tie rods having nuts 36 threaded on their outer ends.

The work to be operated on is carried or: a table 44 adjustablyl supported by a post 45 threaded into a bushing 46 carried on the bed 33. `The table, in this instance, is provided with a. ltop 'Il y yieldably supportedby a series of coiled compression springs .12 which permit limited movement of the top to prevent damage to the .periphery of the die` set.

dies or workpiece in the event that a slightly oversized workpiece is inserted in the machine.

4 The exemplary machine is equipped with die mechanism for formingthe reduced neck 24 'and `the liange 25 on`the end of the shell 23 in a single operation. `The die mechanism as herein shown, comprises an inner die setA 13 and an outer die set14, the inner set being disposed within the outer set and spaced therefrom` to receive the end of the shell between them. Suitable mechanism is incorporated in the machine for actuating the die sets in predetermined timed relation to insure true roundness of the shell and clean and accurate shaping of the neck and flange `Without folds or wrinkles.

Referring to Figs. 2-4, the inner die set 13 comprises a series of die blocks 'l5 arranged in a circle andy ittedat their outer .ends with removable forming dies 16 shaped to define the contour to which the sh'ell is to be drawn. For formving a neck and ange, the forming dies are shaped to dene an outwardly facing groove around the The forming dies are shaped, vof course, to' correspond to the interior Y ter the workpiece and to give it the gradually to merge with the outer peripheral surface of the die. The die blocks 15 are slidably supported for radial movement in a frame comprising an upper plate 11 carried on the lower end of a vertically reciprocable head 10 and an annular lower plate 19 secured to the upper plate by bolts 89. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the bolts are disposed between adjacent die blocks. The die blocks have their edges notched as at 8| to provide clearance for the bolts and thus permit a limited movement of the blocks relative to the bolts. Keys 82 engaging in complementary slots in the bottom plate 19 and in the respective die blocks guide the latter for true radial movement.

The die blocks of the inner die sets 13 are normally held in an inner or contracted position by an annular coiled spring 83 (Fig. 4) encircling the series of blocks. Outward movement of the blocks to expanded position is effected by means of an actuator 84 carried on a drawbar 85 which is slidably supported in a centrally located bushing 86 (Fig. 1) in the head 18.A The lower end of the actuator is formed with an inclined cam surface 81 (Fig. 4) adapted to coact with an oppositely 'inclined cam surface 88 formed on th'e inner end of each die block. Downward movement of the actuator from the retracted position shown in Fig. 1 is thus effective to shift the die blocks outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4. The upper portion of the actuator is of generally cylindrical form thus presenting a vertical wall 89 engageable with a vertical wall 90 on each of the die blocks to hold the latter in fully expanded position while the actuator completes a full reciprocatory stroke.

The outer die set 14, as herein showncom prises a series of die blocks 9| arranged in a oircle concentric with the inner die set 13. These blocks are likewise supported for radial movement, in this instance, by the plate 11 and an annular bottom plate 92 secured thereto by bolts 98. The die blocks may be keyed to the latter plate as by key bars 94 (Figs. 4 and 5) to insure true radial movement. Each die block carries on itsinner endl a removable forming die 95 which together dene an outwardly projecting peripheral ridge generally complementary to the groove presented by the forming dies 16 and adapted to cooperate therewith in forming the neck and flange on the workpiece. y

The die blocks 9| are normally held in an expanded position by individual springs 96 each connected at one end to a pin 91 on the associated block and at the other end to the bottom plate 92. When the die blocks are fully retracted as shown in Fig. 2, they together with the inner set of die blocksv15 define an annular space 98 for the reception of the end f the shell to be operated on. Stops 99 carried on the inner set of die blocks and projecting outwardly therefrom into the space 98deflne the limit position of the shell in the die mechanism and thus insure formation of the neck and flange at the proper location.

The die sets are brought into operative association with the workpiece by a downward movement of the head 18 whereupon the inner die set is expanded in the manner above explained to cendesired accurately shaped form. The die set is preferably adjusted so that the shell is placed under slight tension. In practice, the die blocks o the inner Vdie set are shifted outwardly so that the areas or lands of the forming .dieson opposite sides of the groove are pressed against the shell respectively to grip the same in a zone at the extreme end of the shell and in a Zone spaced therefrom by the width of the groove. The lands are suitably formed to exert a substantially greater gripping force on the shell in the last-mentioned zone than in the end zone, in this instance by providing a greater area of contact with the shell in the inner zone. It has .also been found that the tension applied to the spaced areas of the shell spaced longitudinally thereof serves to weaken the metal along the edges of the groove between the gripped areas so that the outer die set 14 on contracting is enabled to draw in the metal of the shell to form the neck 24. Moreover, the metal in the end zone of the shell is drawn in under the abrupt shoulder of the forming die to shape the ange 25. rlhe gripping force exerted on the end zone permits that portion of the shell to slip while the portion in the other zone is securely held by the die mechanism. Accordingly, the die sets, when operated in the above manner, are effective to neck and `flange the shell without folds or wrinkles such as are commonly produced when a nonexpansive inner die or mandrel is employed.

Contraction of the outer die set 14 is efected in the present instance by means of a series of cams 10|, each coacting with an inclined cam surface |82 formed in the outer ends of the die blocks 9|. These cams may be formed integrally with or rigidly secured to the inner surface of a ring |03 Vwhich encircles the die set, the ring in this instance constituting the lower end of a sleeve member |04 which encircles the head 18 and which is sldably supported for vertical movement on suitable ways |05 formed in the machine frame 3|. The head 18 is loosely fitted in the cam sleeve |04 and is guided in its movement relative thereto by guide bars |00 (Fig. 1) extending longitudinally of the head and engaging in vertical slots in the inner wall of the sleeve.

In the operation of the unit, the head 18, die actuator 84, and cam sleeve |04 are advanced together until the die sets are positioned over the end of the shell to be operated on. Movement of the head is interrupted at the properpoint by suitable adjustable stops herein shown as rods |01 (Fig. l) threaded into the upper end of the head and projecting through apertures in the machine frame. Nuts |08 threaded onto the projecting ends of the rods are in position to engage the machine frame or suitable resilient stops mounted therein, as the head approaches its limit position. While the head remains stationary, the die actuator 84 and cam sleeve |04 continue their advance to actuate the inner and outer die sets. The cam surface 8'1 of the actuator is spaced somewhat below the cams |0| of the sleeve member so that the inner die set 13 is expanded to center and tension the workpiece. The outer die set is then contracted to form the neck and fiange therein. After the forming operation is completed, the actuator and sleeve are retracted, the die assemblies opening up to release the workpiece and the head is withdrawn to its initial position by engagement of the actuator therewith.

The advancing and withdrawal movements of the die actuators and head are imparted thereto bypower driven means including a shaft |09 (Fig. 1) journaled in suitable bearings ||0 on the upper end of the frame 3|. The shaft is arranged to be rotated cyclically through the medium of a pair of gears (Fig. 1) keyed thereto which mesh with pinions |12 fast ona countershaft H3 journaled on the frame. The counterdies of the opposed sets to drive shaft shaft in turn is driven from the main by means of a gear H4 and pinion H5.

For advancing the head '18, the shaft |09 is equipped with a pair of cams H6 (Fig. 1) which coact with roller cam followers Ill on the head. An eccentrically disposed shaft section H8 extending between the two cams H6 constitutes a crank arm for operating the die actuator 84 and to this end is operatively connected with the drawbar 85 by means of a pitman H9. Finally eccentrics l2l on the outer ends of the shaft |09 are connected by eccentric straps l2| and rigid links |22 with studs 23 rigid with the cam sleeve H134v and projecting laterally therefrom. These eccentrics thus serve to reciprocate the sleeve in the manner and for the purpose above explained.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a machine and forming die mechanism of novel and advantageous construction for shaping the ends of hollow cylindrical bodies or shells. The improved machine is particularly suitable for necking and anging the ends of sheet metal shells utilized as parts of containers such folds or wrinkles by the conjoint action of two annular sets of radially movable forming dies. These die sets are arranged concentrically and spaced apart to receive the end of the shell between them. One die set is actuated to impart the desired shape and dimension to the shell and to weaken a section of the wall of the shell so that the other die set is enabled to perform a drawing and ilanging operation thereon without forming wrinkles or other irregularities. In general, the machine is therefore particularly adapted for the rapid and economical production of accurately formed sheet metal pail, barrel and drum bodies.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a machine for operatingon cylindrical sheet metal workpieces, in combination, a movable head, a first set of annularly arranged die blocks mounted on the head, a second set of annularly arranged die blocks mounted on the head concentric with said first set and in opposed relation thereto, the die blocks of both of said sets being movable radially toward and from each other, cooperating forming dies carried on adjacent ends of the respective die blocks of the two sets, an actuator for each die set, means for be operated on, and power operated means for driving said head advancing means and for operating said actuators in predetermined timed relation following the advance of said head, the actuator for said first set acting rst to shift the die blocks of that set outwardly into gripping engagement with the inner wallof the workpiece and then to hold the die blocks in their outer shape the same.

2. In a machine for necking and flanging the ends of cylindrical sheet metal shells, in combination, a die supporting head, means for supporting ashell to be operated on in axial alinement with said head, a pair of annular die sets mounted on said head in concentric relation, each of said die sets comprising a plurality of radially movable die blocks, cooperating forming dies on adjacent faces of the die blocks of the respective sets, the die blocks of each said set being normally held in retracted positions so as to define an annular space between said forming dies adapted to receive the end of the shell, means for effecting relative movement of the shell and said head to enter the end of the shell in said annular space, an actuator for each die set operable to shift the head and said actuators in predetermined timed relation, said moving means being operated first to operatively associate the shell and said die sets, the inner die grip the shell at spaced points, and the outer die set being actuated last to press the walls of the shell between the forming dies of the respective sets and thereby form a neck and flange thereon.

3. In a machine for necking and langing cylindrical sheet metal shells, in combination, inner and outer die sets of annularly arranged radially movable die blocks supported in concentric relation and spaced apart to receive the end portion sets successively, forming dies carried by the die blocks of said inner die set and providing an annular recess shaped to dene the contour of the neck to be formed on the shell and having lands on opposite sides of the recess adapted when the die blocks are shifted outwardly to engage and grip the walls of the shell in two spaced zones one of which is at the extreme end of the shell and the other spaced axially from the first zone, and forming dies carried by the die blocks of said outer die set generally complementary to the die block of said inner die set and adapted when shifted inwardly to press the portion of the shell lying between said zones into form the neck, the lands of the inner forming dies being operative to exert a substantially greater gripping force on the shell in said second Zone than in the end zone to enable the outer forming dies to draw the said end zone portion of the shell inwardly to form an outturned flange around the shell.

4. In a machine for drical sheet metal shells, in combination, inner and outer die sets of annularly arranged radially supported in concentric relation and spaced apart to receive the end portion sets in succession, forming dies carried by the die blocks of said inner die set and providing an annular outwardly facing groove shaped to define the contour of the neck to be formed on the shell and having lands on opposite sides of said groove adapted when the die blocks are shifted outwardly to engage and grip the walls of the shell is at the extreme end of the shell, and forming dies carried by the die blocks of said outer die set generally complementary to the inner forming dies and adapted when shifted inwardly to said groove to form the neck, the land at the side of said groove remote from the end of said shell being operative to engage the shell over a substantially larger area. than the land at the end of the shell to enable the said end portion of the shell to be drawn inwardly to form an outturned flange around the shell.

CARL C. GRO'I'NES.

set being actuated next to K necking and anging cylinin two spaced zones one of which' 

